Cashback apps make it easy to earn money from your shopping. Whether you’re buying online or in-store, you can earn cash back from groceries, prepared food, clothes, and other purchases.
If you’re not using reward and cashback apps, you are missing out a lot of FREE money!
If you want to save even more and get money back on your everyday purchases and grocery shopping, you should consider using apps like Ibotta and Rakuten.
These two popular cashback apps can pay you for shopping at their partner stores or buying items from brands that they’re partnered with.
For example, instead of purchasing items directly from Amazon, you can shop at Amazon from the Rakuten platform and make some money.
Rakuten and Ibotta work as the middlemen. As they take you to Amazon, Amazon will pay them directly. Instead of keeping all the commissions to themselves from in-store offers, these two platforms will split the payment with you.
And the best part?
These two shopping apps are easy and effortless to use! You can automatically track your purchases and they’re both free to use.
But the big question is: Which is the better one to use?
You might be wondering: How Does Rakuten Work?
Rakuten vs Ibotta: How These Apps Work
Many rebate and money-making apps offer the same features. The difference lies in the cash back deals that they offer to the user.
Both Rakuten and Ibotta offer mobile app access and browser extensions, making it easier to access your opportunities to enjoy cashback from online stores and in-store purchases. However, the big differences are the minimum cashout values and the available redemption options.
Grocery Rebates
Ibotta is centered around grocery item rebates from eligible purchases. This means that this app is the easiest way for you to save even more money when using Ibotta whenever you shop for groceries from your shopping trip.
Unlike other apps, Ibotta also doesn’t always require you to buy particular brands. Even if the item is not what Ibotta promotes, you can still earn cashback by redeeming their “any brand” rebates which is offered mostly for milk, eggs, and canned good items.
The Ibotta app also offer rebates for participating pharmacies like CVS and even convenience stores like 7-Eleven.
Requires A Mobile Device
Before you use Ibotta, it will require you to download the app and use it from your mobile device. This means that without the mobile app, you cannot earn as much with Ibotta, even if you use an Ibotta browser extension.
Rakuten, on the other hand, allows you to use any web browser or mobile app to access your account and earn cash back.
Referral Bonus
Even if you don’t buy from Ibotta or Rakuten, you can still earn money by recommending them to your family and friends through their referral program.
Every time the person you refer makes the required number of purchases, you can score some extra cash from the app!
While Ibotta only offers $5 per person, Rakuten will give you a $25 cash reward for every referral, who registers as a new user for a Rakuten account.
Variety Of Participating Stores
Since Rakuten has been in the market longer, they have built a huge and loyal user database.
Although there are also a good number of Ibotta Partners, thanks to Rakuten’s reputation, there are more stores and online retailers participating in their program.
Minimum Balance Required To Withdraw Earnings
With the Rakuten app, you only need a minimum balance of $5 to withdraw your earnings.
For Ibotta, you can only withdraw your earnings once you reach $20.
Receiving Payments
The faster, the better, right?
With Ibotta, you can withdraw your money anytime once you hit the minimum required to cash out.
Rakuten pays on a fixed quarterly schedule. This means once you hit the minimum payout of $5, you can only get it on the next pay date.
Payment Method
When it comes to cashing out, Rakuten can give you more options for getting your earnings from your cashback opportunities.
If you don’t prefer checks, you can transfer your payments to your PayPal account instead.
| Rakuten | Ibotta | |
| Online vs. offline | Online and offline | Online and offline |
| Types of apps | Mobile app and browser extension | Mobile app and browser extension |
| Redemption options | PayPal, check, or Amex Membership rewards | PayPal, Venmo, gift cards, bank deposits |
| Minimum cashout | $5 | $20 |
| Best for | Online shopping | In-store shopping |
| How to sign up | Visit Rakuten | Visit Ibotta |
Can You Use Ibotta And Rakuten Together?
There are some users who said that they can double up on rewards using Rakuten and Ibotta at the same time.
However, you might not find the same offers on both apps.
Which Is Better?
Both apps can get you free money whenever you’re doing your everyday shopping!
When it comes to the “better app,” that really depends on your shopping behavior.
Comparing Ibotta and Rakuten may seem like comparing apples to oranges.
A great way is to use Ibotta for in-store shopping and groceries from your shopping list and then for online purchases, use Rakuten.
Wanna know how to scan a receipt on Ibotta? Or how you can redeem offers without scanning receipts?
The clear winner is the rebate app that suits you the best to enjoy the best deals and the most value for your money!
How about you, which are the best grocery rebate apps or cashback sites you’ve used for free cash and cashback rewards?
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